<p>My daughter and I put together a list of about 15-20 possibilities as of right now. Without firm SAT numbers it’s a little hard, although many on the list are test optional (which I am happy about).</p>
<p>I’m taking some of the girls in my GS troop on a college tour this weekend - Muhlenberg, SUNY Binghamton, Vassar. It was so hard to arrange because so many schools don’t have tours/info sessions on Saturday afternoon or Sunday, so these are the ones that worked out. I think Muhlenberg is a little too like Vassar but it is easier to get into so I guess that’s okay. It’s not to replace parental trips, just to get the girls started in a non-threatening, fun way with their friends. I’m really happy because we have a former GS from our village to meet with us to an “insiders tour” if you will. None of these are on my daughter’s list, oh well.</p>
<p>I agree with amtc that without test scores, it is a bit hard to work out a list, but we can still get started.</p>
<p>I find the task easier to approach by setting a rough ceiling on reaches based on current and projected GPA’s and awards, and to a lesser extent, EC’s and practice test scores. This way the whole family can agree on which level of “reaches” to avoid and reduce unnecessary anxiety and unrealistic expectation early on. Focus on the right level of reaches is important, not only for finding intellectual and academic fit but also for avoiding wasting time and effort on unnecessary campus visits and essay writings. Kids need to focus on writing good essays and building appealing apps for their realistic reaches and matches. Otoh, too many safeties and matches can also have the same negative effect. I’m all for a top heavy list supported by admission and financial safeties/matches. Families with financial constraints must also take into account expected financial aid from target schools.</p>
<p>oldfort, the cutoff for internationals is the same as the highest state cutoff - 223 for this year’s seniors.</p>
<p>We’re going against the tide here. D is 75% sure she wants to attend a school that has offered her an athletic scholarship. She also has the grades to earn a full ride there. That presents a dilemma for DH and me since it is not our first choice for her. Academically, it doesn’t look like the best fit and it is important since she wants to attend grad school (for now, anyway.) We want to make sure she isn’t being shortsighted and choosing that school just because she likes the team. She really felt welcomed during her unofficial visit there. If she is to have any other offers from other schools, she will have to initiate contact with the coaches and I’m afraid she won’t take that responsibility seriously.</p>
<p>How do kids do on PSAT taken junior year compared to PSAT as sophomore? Do they improve or does the competition get worse making it harder to score well after scaled?</p>
<p>^^maybe time to fire up that helicopter, lilmom ;)</p>
<p>most of these kids are going to be so different by April of their senior year when they are (hopefully) choosing among their college options. right now D would be happy to settle for the first safety on her list, which I think would under-challenge her academically in a big way. while she may end up there, I’m insisting that she do the work necessary to have other choices. the final choice will be hers, but all the work I am making her do now (SAT tutoring, jumping through the hoops for National Honor Society membership, etc.) is so that she will be an attractive applicant to any school that she eventually wants to apply to. </p>
<p>so far, she is grudgingly going along with me - some days less so than others :(</p>
<p>Igloo - in my very limited experience, D1’s score went up almost 20 points. I think it had less to do with the little bit of tutoring she received and more to do with maturity and a greater knowledge base. (I know, the PSAT tests reasoning ability, not specific knowledge, but I can’t help thinking that having an additional year of math, for example, is part of the reason for the increase in score.)</p>
<p>I agree that it may not be the best to use a “one recommendation to rule them all” method, but for the vast majority of PSAT takers, adequate preparation can be limited to doing and reviewing the PSAT practice test available to all students at their schools. That’s about it; a total of a few hours of preparation, perhaps. Since this practice test is a real, previously administered test, a student can get a good idea of where he/she is. Few of these people will be in the range that would suggest NM etc. is a possibility.</p>
<p>DD has taken a couple of PSAT practice test and is hovering right around the NM cutoff. She was just under on one and just over on one. I am hopeful that she will boost up a little on the actual test, but who is to know? Is she could take the best score in each section of her practices, she would be comforably over the line, but there is no superscore on the PSAT - it’s just one shot. C’est la vie. It makes be glad that she will have morethan one shot on the SAT.</p>
<p>DD is rarely in the mood to talk about potential colleges. If pressed she will name a couple, but I figure why push it now? I dont want to increase the stress related to the PSAT and getting a real score will open the door to showing her a few colleges with their collage data score ranges, so we will wait until we get back her PSAT before we ask her to start building a list.</p>
<p>I am confused about the sending of the SAT scores. It says I can report four for free up until a certain date. Clearly as a Junior that is just not an option right now. How does this “reporting” work?</p>
<p>We aren’t reporting. I agree as a junior, it doesn’t make sense. But I figure she will take subject tests, and if I recall correctly everything is on the report, so I think every test she takes with the Board (not AP, though… that’s different) will show up when she takes her subjects in the spring, so then we will report. </p>
<p>hey, EVERYONE who’s kid is taking tomorrow, best of luck!</p>
<p>Gwen: have you been to the pages for the Musical Theatre and Drama majors here on college confidential? There is so much to learn for what your D hopes to do. I have a D who is a sophomore at UCLA in the Theatre program/acting specialization, and we did the whole audition, unifieds things two years ago. Its a real nightmare and you should start reading those pages and making your lists based upon the advice on those pages.</p>
<p>Thanks Chrissy-- yes, I’ve read and read on the theater/MT pages and its been very helpful. We are planning and girding our loins…and we will see what happens! Thank you!</p>
<p>And she’ll probably do better for it, PRJ! No PSAT fatigue! Our homecoming is next weekend…PSAT at 7:30am, Homecoming dance that night… their lives exhaust me.</p>
<p>I have been called a tyrant this morning because I made S come home from a post-homecoming bonfire at 1, and have cancelled hanging out with friends on Monday and Tuesday in order to prep for the PSAT. S wanted to “go with the flow”, but was 10 points away from merit scores last year. Poor child had to hear that with only one parent working right now, NMF could be more than just a nice honor. </p>
<p>This tyrant is still letting him stay up most of the evening for homecoming dance and Rocky Horror midnight show, so I don’t think I am all that bad.</p>